Jerry Seinfeld lives up to his star billing

Other comedians have played more nights at the O2 but none has been as keenly anticipated as US icon Jerry Seinfeld.

Friday night's gig would have been his first UK show in 13 years if he had not given lucky punters at the intimate Comedy Store a sneak preview at a fraction of the £100 ticket price last Wednesday.

Well, was the legend worth the wait and the expense? Absolutely.

After an oddly modest entrance, wrong-footing fans who were expecting a Superbowl-style build-up, the star of the self-titled sitcom "about nothing" was quickly chatting about everything, from restaurants that suck to pointlessly vague weather reports, to cremation, obesity, parenthood and suicide bombers.

His sober suit was smart and his patter was smarter. if one wanted proof that Seinfeld is the comedians' comedian one only had to glance around to spot Ricky Gervais, David Walliams, Matt Lucas and Noel Fielding among the awestruck audience.

The topics might have been well-worn, but boy, did the youthful 57-year-old sell the punchlines well.

On discussing the way theatregoers grudgingly shift in their seats to let latecomers pass he essayed a nimble illustrative shimmy.

When suggesting that too many fat people would be no problem unless we are as squashed as olives in a jar, he pointedly pushed his cheeks together.

On the hoary matter of irritable male syndrome he helpfully explained what the letters in golf stand for - "Get out, leave family." Some material was old and maybe there was a little too much about marrying belatedly at 45 - "Well, of course I had issues but I enjoyed those issues a lot" - yet this was stand-up of the masterclass variety.

Technically brilliant, barely breaking sweat, he played it for big laughs and deserved each cheer.

Then, after 90 minutes, he was gone. No encore, leaving everyone wanting more.